A blog launched on the 41st anniversary of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), the first pro-life organisation in the world, established on 11 January 1967. SPUC has been a leader in the educational and political battle against abortion, human embryo experimentation and euthanasia since then. I write this blog in my role as SPUC's chief executive, commenting on pro-life news, reflecting on pro-life issues and promoting SPUC's work.

"Fr. Juan Carlos Mari is calling on the president of Ecuador to reverse a 'family planning campaign' that would provide condoms and contraceptive pills free of charge ... The Ecuadoran president’s proposed family planning program would create a society that can no longer 'distinguish between 'good and evil, or worse yet, that would end up calling what is evil good and what is good evil'', Fr. Mari said... '[T]he door to the diabolical monstrosity of legal abortion would be opened ... Once this happens, it would be the beginning of the end of Ecuadoran society as we know it ... [I will] happily give up [my] life for Christ, my Lord, and for the Holy Catholic Church ... I will invest my time into educating teens and young adults, providing them with appropriate guidance about true love and caring for the future of my country.'"

"Women’s and adolescents’ right to contraceptive information and services is grounded in basic human rights."

and warns sinisterly that:

"Applying a human rights-based approach to the provision of contraceptive information and services can facilitate state fulfillment of these obligations."

In other words, the pro-abortion lobby - specifically the litigious Center for Reproductive Rights - will now start suing governments worldwide which in any way restrict access to contraception. This is nothing less than the practical application of "the dictatorship of relativism" so often warned of by Pope Benedict.

So priests worldwide have a choice: be silent and thus abandon youth to the contraceptive tyranny, or be true men of God like Fr Mari who protect the weak from the strong.

Tuesday, 29 March 2011

"Made public today was a Message written by the Holy Father for a meeting of bishops who head episcopal commissions for the family and life in Latin America and the Caribbean. Their meeting is taking place in Bogota, Colombia, from 28 March to 1 April under the presidency of Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family."

"[T]he family is the value the people of those noble lands prize most highly. For this reason, the pastoral care of families has an important place in the evangelising activity of each one of the particular Churches, promoting a culture of life and working to ensure the rights of families are recognised and respected.

Nonetheless, we sorrowfully note that families are increasingly suffering from adverse situations brought about by rapid cultural changes and social instability, by migratory flows, by poverty, by education programmes which trivialise sexuality and by false ideologies. We cannot remain indifferent before such challenges.

[N]o effort is in vain if it helps to ensure that each family, founded on the indissoluble bond between a man and a woman, carries out its mission as a living cell of society, seedbed of virtues, school of constructive and peaceful coexistence, instrument of harmony and a privileged area in which, with joy and responsibility, human life is welcomed and protected, from beginning to natural end.

It is also worthwhile to encourage parents in their right - and their fundamental duty - to educate the new generations in faith and in the values that dignify human existence.

[T]he Church puts her trust in Christian families.

[H]elp the family to [be] unafraid to express the beauty of exalted ideals and the ethical and moral requirements of life in Christ.

[I]t is important to find ways to collaborate with all men and women of good will in order to continue to protect human life, marriage and the family throughout the region.

* The late Pope John Paul II, the great pro-life champion, taught in paragraph 97 of his 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae that it is an illusion to think that we can build a true culture of human life if we do not offer adolescents and young adults an authentic education in sexuality, and in love, and the whole of life according to their true meaning and in their close interconnection.

Safe at School, a national campaign run by SPUC, is holding a public meeting in the Guildhall, St Giles Square, Northampton NN1 1DE this Thursday 31 March at 7.30pm.

Antonia Tully, Safe at School's campaign co-ordinator, will speak to parents and show them materials which schools are reluctant to disclose to parents.

As Antonia told the media earlier today:

"Parents are being kept in the dark on this issue. These sex education programmes are designed to prepare children for teenage sex. Parents are angry and upset that their seven year old children are being shown cartoons of how to have sexual intercourse.”

Andrea Leadsom (pictured), the local MP, is taking up the cause as well. She has tabled parliamentary questions aimed at putting parents in the driving seat of this critical area of their young children’s education.

Mrs Leadsom is calling for a system whereby parents must opt-in if they want their children to attend sex education classes, rather than the current system which merely allows parents to withdraw their children. She would also like to see suppliers of sex education materials called to account through a licensing system.

Saturday, 26 March 2011

Dr Clare Walker, the president of the Catholic Medical Association, was quoted yesterday saying that euthanasia is being practised widely in the NHS (read the full report in Independent Catholic News).

Paul Tully, SPUC's general secretary, gave his reaction yesterday to Dr Walker's statement:

"We must be grateful to Dr Walker for speaking out about the growing anti-life ethos in British medicine. The practice of euthanasia by neglect is insidious and will lead to more and more pressure for active euthanasia - this is the aim of the pro-euthanasia lobby.

"Intentional killing by neglect has become more entrenched in England and Wales since the passing of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This was designed to permit doctors to end the lives of certain seriously ill or disabled people by withholding treatment and care - including even food and fluids in some cases. Without water, people die. Although active euthanasia (such as giving patients a lethal injection) remains rare in our experience, passive euthanasia is a major problem.

"Dr Walker rightly highlights the dangers of the Liverpool Care Pathway. The LCP can mean that tick-box medicine replaces proper care tailored to the person. In some places it is used inappropriately - the LCP implies high doses of morphine may be used which are not necessary for all patients, and which can hasten death. In some places it has become feared as a way of getting rid of those who aren't 'dying quickly enough'.

"The importance of having a sound ethical foundation when caring for patients who may be dying, or nearing death, is increasingly evident. It is not only experts, like doctors, pro-life campaigners and chaplains who see the growing disregard and lack of proper care for those who are nearing death. Relatives of disabled or elderly people are often distressed by the way their loved ones are treated in hospitals and care homes. This can range from not getting necessary help with feeding and toileting to withdrawal of vital care, like simple intravenous fluids."

"The Bishops’ Conference of Spain recently announced its 2011 Pro-Life Campaign titled, “There is Always a Reason to Live.” ... The two and a half-minute video encourages Catholics to commemorate the Day of the Unborn Child on March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation."

Do watch this moving video against the culture of death. Once you've watched it, spread the word about it. That would be a very fitting way of honouring our Lady and the Christ-embryo conceived on this great pro-life day!

"The 4th International Youth Pro-Life Conference was a huge success. Over 120 people attended the conference and left feeling encouraged and strengthened in the battle to defend human life.

The keynote speaker was Fr. John Fleming, member of the Pontifical Academy for Life and SPUC’s bioethical consultant. He spoke on “The Practice of Eugenics Today”, offering a startling insight into the minds of those who promote abortion and euthanasia today. He clearly demonstrated how the ideas that influenced the early eugenics movement and the philosophies of Nazi Germany are still very much alive today, albeit sometimes practised in more subtle ways, disguised in ‘compassionate’ terms.

Other speakers included Andy Pollard, who has spoken at many previous SPUC events. His original and dynamic presentations illustrated the demographic crisis that Scotland, the UK and Europe faces, so drastic are the consequences of abortion. John Deighan, Parliamentary Officer for the Catholic Church in Scotland, spoke on how this has been facilitated by the manipulation of internationally agreed human rights principles to suit the pro-abortion lobby. Sr. Andrea Fraile from the Cardinal Winning Pro-Life Intiative presented on how the pro-life movement attempts to limit the damage of abortion, by offering real practical help to women in crisis pregnancies and throught the newly introduced into Scotland, Rachel’s Vineyard. These powerful retreat weekends can heal the pain of abortion and allow post-abortive women to finally move past the pain of abortion.

There was plenty of homegrown talent at the conference, with SPUC’s own Anthony Ozimic and myself speaking on the work of SPUC, both at home and abroad. Edinburgh Branch member Lynn Murray shared her own story of how her daughter Rachel has Down’s Syndrome and how abortion is very often seen as the only ‘cure’ for disability.

Once again, the International Youth Pro-Life Conference had a profound impact on those who attended. One delegate told of how the conference has ‘rapidly changed my life and my view of abortion.’ This is high praise indeed and testimony to the power of these conferences, which are essential to the future development of the pro-life movement in the UK."

And here is some more recommendations from the youth who attended the conference:

"What an amazing trip to Loch Lomond. We heard some truly inspirational speakers, made many friends and have much to think about over the next few weeks..."

"I am THOROUGHLY impressed at how many young people just like me want to be so involved. Time of my life!"

"I had a really great time and will definitely come back"

"very inspirational"

"loved it! Good job!"

"much learned, highly recommend to others"

"Better than expected"

"A very inspiring, insightful and welcomingly truthful weekend!"

Bryan Kemper, the US pro-life leader who also spoke at the conference, has posted his own tribute on his excellent blog.

The Vaughan Parents' Action Group (VPAG) has kindly sent me a letter which it has just sent to parish priests in London (full letter published with permission). The letter seeks to set the record straight regarding the group's dispute with the Catholic archdiocese of Westminster. My interest as SPUC director in highlighting this matter is to help uphold the rights of parents (Catholic or non-Catholic) to protect their children against prevailing ideas in sex education, ideas which are promoted by the Catholic Education Service (CES) and Paul Barber, director of the Westminster Diocese Education Service.

The letter, among other things, says:

"Many parents feel that there are a number of ways in which both the Catholic Education Service and the Westminster Diocesan Education Service are failing to listen to the views of parents who, in their role as “primary educators” of their children, have both the right and the responsibility to choose the sort of education they feel is best suited to their child.

In particular, we are concerned about the following:
• The actions of the Catholic Education Service and The Westminster Diocese Education Service suggest a greater desire to promote a political ideology rather than Catholic faith and teaching. There have been feelings of disquiet about Catholic education for some time, but this disquiet began to grow last year when the CES appeared to collude with the last Government over the Sex and Relationships Education provisions of the Children, Schools and Families Bill.
...
• The Vaughan is well known for its strong and authentic Catholic ethos. The Adjudicator’s comment suggests that the actions of the Diocese are an attempt to dilute the ethos of the Vaughan.
...
Cardinal Grocholewski’s 2009 letter to Presidents of Bishops’ Conferences points out that: 'Parents who have the primary and inalienable right and duty to educate their children must enjoy true liberty in their choice of schools'
...
• Parents want to know why Paul Barber [the Diocesan Education Director] has been appointed to the Governing Body of the Vaughan school ... We would be interested to know what Mr Barber’s definition of a highly successful Catholic school is.
...
• The Diocese has chosen not to appoint current parents as Foundation Governors at the Vaughan ... We wonder why the Diocese was prepared to go to court rather than find two current parents of its choice.
...
Parents have been marginalised and ignored. We are practising, faithful, supportive Catholics and we have been portrayed as self-interested 'super Catholics' by the Church we have tried to support and defend. We have been left feeling confused and betrayed. It is time some questions were asked about the motivation and intentions of the WDES and the CES. The future of Catholic education is at stake."

Tuesday, 22 March 2011

Every year the International Youth Pro-Life Conference (organised by SPUC and held in Scotland) opens with a film with a challenging message about ethics. This year's conference, held last weekend, opened with "My sister's keeper". It is a powerful examination of the ethics of saviour siblings, set in the context of a family which is being torn apart following a diagnosis of leukaemia. The film, released in 2009 and based on Jodi Picoult's 2004 novel of the same name, features leading Hollywood actors. Films can illustrate powerfully the issues and emotions surrounding bioethical decision-making, when sometimes academic articles can be too abstract to reflect human realities effectively. Do watch the promotional trailer (below) and visit the official website for how you can see the full film.

Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager who spoke at the conference, tells me that the conference was a great success, with young people left thoroughly inspired to go out and be actively pro-life. I'll be sharing more reports from the conference with you this week.

Monday, 21 March 2011

I've just discovered an amazingly powerful music-video by Matty B, a talented seven year-old rapper. It's a loving tribute from Matty to his sister Sarah-Grace, who has Down's syndrome. Watch it, be moved and spread the word!

John Smeaton

About Me

I became involved in SPUC after graduating, when I established a branch in south London in 1974. I have worked full-time for SPUC for 39 years. I became chief executive of SPUC in the UK in 1996, having been general secretary since 1978. I was elected vice-president of International Right to Life Federation in 2005. At UN conferences in Cairo, Copenhagen, Beijing, Istanbul and Rome, I helped coordinate more than 150 pro-life/pro-family groups resulting in pro-life victories in Cairo, Istanbul and Rome. I was educated at Salesian College, London, before going to Oxford where I graduated in English Language and Literature. I qualified as a teacher, becoming head of English at a secondary school. I am married to Josephine. We have a grown-up family and we live in north London.

Acknowledgement

I am grateful to SPUC's staff, supporters and advisers for their help to me in researching, writing and producing this blog.

Sign up for email alerts

Twitter @spucprolife

Images

I believe that I am allowed to use the images accompanying my blog and that they are licence- and royalty-free. However if the owner or the licensor disagrees, please contact me and I will remove it immediately.